The Certified Institute of Auctioneers of Nigeria (CIAN), Lagos Chapter, has inaugurated its newly elected executives, to be led by Hillary Nwaukor, Chief Auctioneer at i-Naira.com as the Chairman of the Lagos chapter.
The inauguration had in attendance Dr. (Mrs.) Lola Akande, the Lagos state Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, and Cooperatives, ably represented by Mr. Abiodun Okesanya from the Sector Unit of the Ministry Commissioner for Industry, Commerce, and Cooperatives (MCIC).
During her speech, she acknowledged the outgoing executives for keeping the flag flying and charged the new executives to take the Institute to a new height; “as a professional body, the new executives have a responsibility of working together to pilot the affairs of the Institute”.
According to the Commissioner, the role of the auction industry in the economic growth and development of Lagos State is enormous; the “State can derive huge revenue to execute impactful projects from the auction business if the industry is well regulated.”
Mrs. Akande posited that all hands must be on deck to reposition the sector for it to take its natural place even amid challenges, which can be surmounted through hard work and team spirit.
“Now, it is time to embrace international best practices and pursue the attainment of the best standards for the Institute and its members to take their place and earn patronage from other sectors of the national economy.
“You must look inward and strengthen the professional capacity of your members in the consciousness of the fact that there is a future for auctioneers and auction business in commissioning and retraining, refresher seminars, as well as conferences both locally and internationally, which must be embraced by all,” she added.
She advised the Institute to enforce standards among its members based on its ethics and operational code, such as a template for reporting to clients for jobs done, and standards of remuneration for services rendered in line with the approved scale of fees.
She revealed that the relationship between the auction industry and the Lagos State Government is complementary, and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Cooperatives is willing and ready to collaborate and cooperate with the new executives to move the industry forward.
“The Lagos State Government is prepared to take difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions to get rid of quacks and sanitize the industry for the benefit of all.
Dr. Akande enjoined the new executives to embrace the leadership task ahead with a high sense of responsibility as that is the key to unlocking followership, togetherness, and cooperation from its teeming CIAN members in Lagos state.
I am looking forward to having a good working relationship with the new executives,” the Commissioner said.
The new Chairman (Hillary Nwaukor) in his response, thanked the Lagos state government for collaborating with the Institute thus far to entrench best practices within the auctioneering sector.
The Chairman noted that the Institute will continue to work closely with all regulatory bodies as well as the Lagos state government to ensure that auction practitioners in Lagos state are compliant with the laws of the state.
Mr. Nwaukor further stated that “this type of symbiotic relationship, will help the Certified Institute of Auctioneers and its members achieve set goals while supporting the drive of the state to generate revenue”.
The former Chairman of the Institute, Mr. Ade Onanuga, congratulated the new executives and urged them to toe the line of accountability and probity while avoiding the trappings of treating the affairs of the Institute as a personal business.
The oath of office was administered by Mr. Femi Adewara; a Fellow of the Institute. Members of the newly inaugurated Executives and their portfolios are as follows: Hillary Nwaukor, Chairman, Adewunmi Odusola, Vice Chairman, Abayomi Apata, Secretary, Yusuf Kazeem, Assistant Secretary, Ibukun Oshikoya (Mrs.), Financial Secretary, Saka Jelili, Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Olufowobi Olawumi, Treasurer.
The Registrar of the Certified Institute of Auctioneers, Nigeria, Mr. Adeleke Hassan in his closing remarks, advised the new executives not to take the confidence reposed on them by the members of the Institute for granted.
He stressed that the executives must at all times have the interest of the profession at heart.
“While members of the CIAN can come from various professional backgrounds such as real estate, accounting, legal practice and Sales, he stressed the need for auction practitioners to act in line with the bye-laws of auctioneering in Nigeria while engaged as one.
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